Wait agony for flood-hit tenants

Tenants face three month wait to return to flood-damaged homes

Tenants who had to flee their flooded homes have been told it could be three months before they’re allowed back in.

Around 30 people were evacuated in Kirkconnel following torrential downpours last Monday which resulted in the River Nith bursting its banks.

Emergency
services sent them to a rest centre set up at the Miners Hall after the
worst flood in the village in more than 40 years.

Dumfries
and Galloway Housing Partnership have declared 14 properties uninhabitable and have been forced to rehouse tenants elsewhere while a clean-up and repair operation is underway.

DGHP’s
Jayne Moore said: “The properties worst affected require extensive works. Tenants could be in temporary accommodation for up to three months.

“Conditions were some of the worst this area has experienced and evacuations were carried
out to get everyone affected to safety.

“This is just the beginning of what will be a lengthy process to get our tenants back into their homes.”

Douglas McAvoy, 38, of St
Conal’s Square is one of the residents being rehoused. He said it felt like the water “appeared
from nowhere”.

He
added: “I had no time to save anything in my house. I was told to get out immediately and just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“I’d just put new carpets down and I’m not insured so I’ve paid out for nothing. It’s unbelievable.”

Billy Waddell, 57, was sitting in his house when water started pouring in the front door.

He
said: “I moved what I could but the house is ruined. I’ve had to strip all the wallpaper downstairs, rip off wood panelling, throw out carpets and take out the fireplace. I’m unemployed and the house isn’t insured. I’ve lived here for 30 years and don’t want to go and
stay anywhere else.

“I’ve been flooded a couple of times in the past, but nothing like this. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

One local man, who asked not to be named, claimed all he had left is a microwave, kettle and toaster.

He said: “I live in private accommodation so I just need to stay where I am and try to clear up the mess as best I can.

“When the water started to rise, I wasn’t in the house but I came back half an hour later and it was
through my letterbox. I couldn’t get in.

“It’s
not just the water that’s caused the problem, but the mud. My sofas were in the garage and they disappeared; floated off somewhere. I’ve lost nearly everything.”

Councillor
John Syme said the floods were the worst to hit the village since 1966.
He added: “I’ve never seen anything like it before. It was an emergency
and the priority was the residents affected.”

Councillor Syme and others battled to protect the property of 77-year-old Jean Lipp.

The
pensioner, whose home sits by the side of the Nith, said the force of the water knocked down her garden wall before pouring in through the front door.

She added: “The water was just rising so quickly and, before I knew it, there were people here with sandbags. If it wasn’t for them, I would have been in dire straits.

“My hall was completely flooded and the carpet has been ripped up but it could have been a lot worse. I came home the same night and I feel sorry for the people who won’t be able to return home for months because of the damage.”

Councillor Syme also praised the community spirit. He said: “It’s been non-stop here all
week because so many people were affected, including elderly residents and people with health issues.

“Food,
clothing, furniture and accommodation have all been provided by local people for those in short-term need – the community spirit here is second to none.”

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MSP Elaine Murray has raised a question at Holyrood about the Scottish Government response to flooding in Dumfries and Galloway and elsewhere in the country.